A leader in goodwill; Bangladeshi major proud of nation’s peacekeeping efforts

Photo By Staff Sgt. Cory Grogan | Maj. Muhammad Abdullah Farabi, a Bangladesh Army peacekeeping trainer, walks up a hill prior to the Philippine platoon conducting a cordon and search training exercise during Shanti Prayas-2 at the Birendra Peace Operations Training Center. The two-week training exercise is part of the Global Peace Operations Initiative, a U.S. State Department program executed in the region by facilitators from U.S. Pacific Command to build and maintain capability, capacity, and effectiveness of peacekeepers deploying to United Nations missions. (U.S. Army Photo by Sgt. Cory Grogan, 115th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment)  

PANCHKHAL, NEPAL

03.30.2013

Story by Sgt. Cory Grogan 

U.S. Indo-Pacific Command         

By Sgt. Cory Grogan
115th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

PANCHKHAL, Nepal - Maj. Muhammad Abdullah Farabi lights up with pride when he talks about Bangladesh being a leading troop contributor to the United Nations with approximately 100,000 soldiers.

Faribi, along with another trainer and a Bangladeshi platoon of 35, make up one of 11 countries participating in a multinational peacekeeping field training exercise known as Shanti Prayas-2 at Birendra Peace Operations Center in Panchkhal, Nepal, March 25 to April 7.

The two-week training exercise is part of the Global Peace Operations Initiative, a U.S. State Department program executed in the region by facilitators from U.S. Pacific Command. The training addresses major gaps in international peacekeeping operations. The program aims to build and maintain capability, capacity, and effectiveness of peacekeepers deploying to United Nations missions.

“This is good for us because it helps us build our nation while helping others,” Faribi said.

He explained that is makes great sense for Bangladesh to continue peacekeeping efforts and the power of teamwork between nations is extremely valuable.

“We are interacting with knowledge and experience to develop skills because every nation brings different strengths,” he said.

Faribi said that Bangladesh, like some of the other participating countries, specifically selected soldiers for the exercise because they will be capable leaders for future peacekeeping missions.

“These soldiers will be selected for our next United Nations peacekeeping mission,” said Faribi. “They all will become trainers and have been selected because they are good soldiers.”

Cpt. Shahnur, a quartermaster officer for the Bangladeshi army, said he likes working with other countries and has been selected for a United Nations mission later this year.

“Obviously this is a huge opportunity for me,” Shahnur said. “I enjoy the training and look forward to this experience.”

• Date Taken: 03.30.2013
• Date Posted: 04.11.2013 07:53
• Story ID: 105001
• Location: PANCHKHAL, NP